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United States Patent |
5,540,176
|
Galea
|
July 30, 1996
|
Easily convertible combination sprayskirt and cockpit cover
Abstract
A sprayskirt for a watercraft, such as a kayak, having a cockpit opening
formed therein, includes a shell having a first open end sized for
accommodating a person's torso therein and a second open end sized so as
to facilitate attachment to the cockpit opening of the kayak. A semi-rigid
or rigid member defines a peripheral boundary of the sprayskirt shell,
wherein the semi-rigid member has an elasticity so that it tends to
recover to the first peripheral boundary after having been deformed. An
attachment means secures the second open end of the shell to the raised
rim of the kayak for creating a substantially watertight seal between the
second open end of the sprayskirt shell and the rim of the kayak. The
semi-rigid or rigid member comprises a rod attached to the shell, where
the rod defines the peripheral boundary. The rod forms a closed loop and
is circular in cross-section. An extension member may be permanently
attached to the shell, extending away from the peripheral boundary of the
shell. Alternatively, the extension member may be removably attachable to
the peripheral boundary of the shell. A removable cover may also be
employed with the present invention. The extension member and the cover of
the present invention provides a simple and easy apparatus for converting
between a sprayskirt and a cover.
Inventors:
|
Galea; Joseph A. (Gloversville, NY)
|
Assignee:
|
JAG Manufacturing, Inc. (Johnstown, NY)
|
Appl. No.:
|
497093 |
Filed:
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June 30, 1995 |
Current U.S. Class: |
114/361; 114/347 |
Intern'l Class: |
B63B 017/00 |
Field of Search: |
114/347,361
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
333391 | Dec., 1885 | Casaday.
| |
349316 | Sep., 1886 | Nye.
| |
583033 | May., 1897 | Danz, 2d.
| |
1284968 | Nov., 1918 | Anderson.
| |
4583480 | Apr., 1986 | Hamilton et al. | 114/347.
|
5331915 | Jul., 1994 | Snyder | 114/347.
|
5367975 | Nov., 1994 | Hamilton et al. | 114/347.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
1581590 | Dec., 1980 | GB | .
|
Primary Examiner: Sotelo; Jesus D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Heslin & Rothenberg, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A sprayskirt for a watercraft having a cockpit opening formed therein,
said cockpit opening having a raised rim formed around a periphery
thereof, said sprayskirt comprising:
a shell having a first open end sized for accommodating a person's torso
therein and a second open end sized so as to facilitate attachment to said
raised rim of said watercraft;
a semi-rigid member defining a peripheral boundary of said shell, said
semi-rigid member having an elasticity so that said semi-rigid member
tends to recover to said peripheral boundary after having been deformed;
and
means for attaching said second open end of said shell to said raised rim
of said watercraft so as to create a substantially watertight seal between
said second open end of said shell and said rim of said watercraft.
2. The sprayskirt of claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid member comprises a
rod attached to said shell, said rod defining said peripheral boundary and
said first open end.
3. The sprayskirt of claim 2, wherein said rod is configured to define a
closed loop.
4. The sprayskirt of claim 3, wherein said closed loop is circular.
5. The sprayskirt of claim 4, wherein said rod is circular in
cross-section.
6. The sprayskirt of claim 2, wherein said shell comprises a deformable
material, said rod being inserted into a channel formed in said deformable
material, said channel extending around a periphery of said shell thereby
defining said peripheral boundary and said first open end.
7. The sprayskirt of claim 1 further comprising an extension member
attached to said shell, said extension member extending from said
peripheral boundary of said shell.
8. The sprayskirt of claim 7, wherein said extension member includes means
for adjustably sizing a first opening thereof so as to facilitate a snug
fit to a person's torso so that a substantially watertight seal is created
between said extension member and the person's torso.
9. The sprayskirt of claim 8 wherein said extension member is removably
attachable to said peripheral boundary of said shell.
10. The sprayskirt of claim 9 wherein said extension member includes a
second opening formed opposite said first opening, said second opening
including means for attachment to said peripheral boundary of said shell.
11. The sprayskirt of claim 10 wherein said attachment means comprises an
elastic member extending around the periphery of said second opening.
12. The sprayskirt of claim 1 further comprising a removable cover, said
cover including means for removable attachment to said peripheral boundary
of said shell.
13. The sprayskirt of claim 12 wherein said removable attachment means
comprises an elastic member adapted for facilitating a substantially
water-tight seal when said elastic member is attached to said peripheral
boundary of said shell.
14. A sprayskirt for a watercraft having a opening formed therein, said
opening having a raised rim extending around a periphery thereof, said
sprayskirt comprising:
a rigid member configured to define a first open end and sized to
accommodate a person's torso therein;
a shell attached to said rigid member and extending from said first open
end, said shell defining a second open end;
means to attaching said second open end of said shell to said raised rim of
said kayak so as to create a substantially watertight seal between said
second open end of said shell and said rim of said kayak.
15. The sprayskirt of claim 14 wherein said rigid member comprises a rod,
said rod being configured to define a closed loop.
16. The sprayskirt of claim 14, wherein said sprayskirt further comprises
an extension member extending from said first open end.
17. The sprayskirt of claim 16, wherein said extension member is removably
attachable to said peripheral boundary of said shell.
18. A covering for an opening of a watercraft, said opening having a rim,
said covering comprising:
a shell having at least one opening sized for accommodating a person's
torso therein and an outer edge sized so as to facilitate attaching said
outer edge to said rim of said watercraft;
a semi-rigid member defining a peripheral boundary of each of said at least
one opening formed in said shell, said semi-rigid member having a tendency
to recover to said peripheral boundary after having been deformed; and
means for attaching said outer edge of said shell to said rim of said
watercraft.
19. The covering of claim 18 wherein said semi-rigid member comprises a rod
defining said peripheral boundary of said shell.
20. The covering of claim 19 wherein a peripheral channel corresponding to
each of said at least one opening is formed in said shell, said rod
corresponding to each of said at least one opening being inserted therein.
21. The covering of claim 18 wherein said at least one opening includes an
extension member attached thereto, said extension member extending away
from said peripheral boundary of said shell.
22. The covering of claim 18 wherein said shell is separable into more than
one shell section, said individual sections being detachable from one
another.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to protective coverings for open
watercraft. More particularly, the present invention relates to
sprayskirts and coverings employed in open vessels like kayaks and canoes
for preventing the entry of water and other contaminants into the cockpit
or interior of the vessels. Even more particularly, the present invention
relates to a sprayskirt for the cockpit opening of a kayak or canoe which
is easily convertible to a cockpit cover, and vice versa.
2. Background Information
Typically, kayaks and other small open watercraft have cockpit openings to
accommodate the seating or kneeling of a person therein. The cockpit is
the interior portion of the vessel defined by the lower hull and the upper
deck thereof. In a conventional kayak, the cockpit opening is centrally
formed in the upper deck of the vessel, and is sized for ingress and
egress of the operator. The size and shape of the cockpit opening,
however, depends largely on the type and make of the kayak. Other small
watercraft, e.g., conventional canoes, do not have cockpit openings formed
in the upper deck of the vessel, but instead, have the entire upper
portion of the canoe open. The open interior of a conventional canoe is
defined by its gunwale or rim.
Largely for competitive and recreational purposes, kayaks and other small
watercraft are often employed in turbulent conditions, i.e., white-water
conditions. Under such turbulent and rapid conditions, water often
splashes over and onto the upper deck of the vessel, often times coming
into contact with the operator. Furthermore, white-water conditions often
force the vessel on its side, and at times, to flip completely upside
down. In order to prevent the entry of water through the cockpit opening
of the vessel and into the cockpit during operation, sprayskirts are
typically employed. A longstanding quality manufacturer of such
sprayskirts is JAG Manufacturing, Inc., located in 203 Jansen Avenue,
Johnstown, N.Y. 12095.
During the operation of a kayak, one end of a sprayskirt usually fits
snugly around the torso or waist of the operator while the opposing end is
elastically or otherwise secured to the rim of the cockpit opening.
Because the sprayskirt spans the entire open area of the cockpit opening,
water is deflected and prevented from entering through the cockpit opening
and into the cockpit.
Furthermore, during the storage and transport of such watercraft, it is
often necessary to cover the cockpit opening for reasons other than to
prevent the entry of water therein. For instance, while storing a
watercraft for any period of time, certain undesirable external elements,
such as dirt, insects, and animals may enter into the cockpit of the kayak
if left uncovered. Therefore, it is often desirable to employ a cockpit
cover during storage. Also, during kayak transport, i.e., on the roof of a
car or on a trailer, wind resistance or drag is substantially increased
when the cockpit opening is left uncovered. In order to reduce and keep
the wind resistance to a minimum, a cockpit cover is typically utilized.
Furthermore, when the kayak or other small watercraft is not in use, the
cockpit or interior of the vessel may be exposed to the sun, which may
cause or hasten deterioration of the interior of the kayak. Accordingly,
cockpit covers often are employed to reduce the amount of sun exposure to
the interior of the vessel.
As detailed above, in order to prevent the entry of water into the cockpit
or interior of a kayak or other small watercraft during operation of the
vessel, sprayskirts are usually employed. In addition, separate cockpit
covers are often employed when covering the cockpit opening of the vessel
during non-operation. Because of the separate and distinct, albeit
related, functions performed by a sprayskirt and a cockpit cover, it is
commonplace for a boat owner to have a separate sprayskirt and a separate
cockpit cover for performing their functions. While there are devices in
existence which perform the dual functions stated above, they are
cumbersome and costly. Up until now, there has been no known device which
simply and easily combines the functions of both a sprayskirt and a
cockpit cover and permits easy conversion therebetween.
Thus, a need exists for a combination sprayskirt and cockpit cover which is
easily convertible between one and the other. The structure of the present
invention contains a solution to the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention satisfies this need and overcomes the
shortcomings of the prior art through the provision of an easily
convertible combination sprayskirt and cockpit cover, which includes a
shell having a first open end sized for accommodating a person's torso
therein and a second open end sized for attachment to the raised rim of a
watercraft. A semi-rigid member may define a peripheral boundary of the
shell, with the semi-rigid member having an elasticity so that it tends to
recover to the peripheral boundary after having been deformed.
Alternatively, a rigid member may define the peripheral boundary of the
shell. Means for attaching the second open end of the shell to the raised
rim of the kayak creates a substantially watertight seal between the shell
and the rim of the watercraft.
Preferably, the semi-rigid or rigid member comprises a rod which is
attached to the shell by inserting it into a channel extending around the
peripheral boundary of the shell. The semi-rigid or rigid member may
comprise any closed loop shape, and the rod is preferably circular in
cross-section.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus which combines the functions of both a sprayskirt and cockpit
cover.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination
sprayskirt and cockpit cover which provides an easy conversion from a
sprayskirt during use of the water vessel to a cockpit cover during
non-use of the vessel, and vice versa.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sprayskirt
for an open interior water vessel like a conventional canoe.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a versatile
sprayskirt which permits simple attachments thereto so as to perform
varied functions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject matter which is regarded as the present invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion
of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and
method of practice, together with the further objects and advantages
thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a kayak being used in conjunction
with a sprayskirt constructed in accordance with the principles of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sprayskirt constructed
in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a sprayskirt of the
present invention, including an extension member fixedly attached thereto.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a removable extension member constructed in
accordance with the present invention for attachment to the sprayskirts
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a removable cover constructed in accordance
with the present invention for removable attachment to the sprayskirts
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the sprayskirt as depicted in FIG. 3
having the cover shown in FIG. 5 removably attached thereto and showing
the extension member tucked into the interior of the shell in phantom.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the sprayskirt as shown in either FIGS.
2-3, having the extension member shown FIG. 4 removably attached thereto.
FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating another embodiment of a sprayskirt for
use with an open interior vessel like a canoe and constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sprayskirt of FIG. 8 as used in
conjunction with a canoe and having two operators positioned therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It will be readily apparent that the components of the present invention,
as generally described and illustrated in the figures, could be arranged
and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the
following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments of
the easily convertible combination cockpit cover and sprayskirt of the
present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1-9, is not intended to limit
the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of
the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. The presently
preferred embodiments of the invention will be best understood by
reference to the drawings, where like parts are designated with like
numerals.
In reference to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is
shown in accordance with the principles of the present invention a
watercraft, i.e., a kayak 10 with an operator seated in a cockpit opening
12 thereof. FIG. 1 shows an environment of the kayak during operation,
with water splashing onto an upper deck 11 of kayak 10 and onto the
operator of the kayak. Typically, as shown best in FIGS. 6-7, cockpit
opening 12 includes a raised rim 14 with a channel 16 formed around the
periphery of opening 12 so as to facilitate the attachment of a sprayskirt
20 thereto.
A first embodiment of sprayskirt 20 is shown in FIG. 2 where sprayskirt 20
includes a first open end 22 and a second open end 24. First open end 22
is sized to accommodate a person's torso in the interior of the shell, and
second open end 24 is sized to facilitate attachment to rim 14 of kayak
10. Typically, first open end 22 will be considerably smaller than second
open end 24 because of the relative small size of a person's torso in
comparison to a typical cockpit opening of a kayak.
Sprayskirt 20 includes a shell 26, which is preferably fabricated from a
deformable fabric material, such as nylon, or from any other suitable
material, such as neoprene. The material selected for shell 26 of
sprayskirt 20 should have good waterproof characteristics for preventing
the penetration of water therethrough and into the cockpit of kayak 10
during operation. If nylon is selected, it is recommended that a
waterproof coating, such as urethane, be applied to the shell to achieve
sufficient waterproofing.
At the uppermost extent of sprayskirt 20, a member 28 may define a
peripheral boundary of shell 26. Preferably, member 28 is semi-rigid,
having an elasticity or flexibility, so that when member 28 deforms, it
tends to recover to its original shape. Alternatively, member 28 may be
rigid or hard. However, from a manufacturing standpoint, it is preferable
to employ a semi-rigid material with good memory characteristics for
member 28. It is also important that semi-rigid member 28 have sufficient
rigidity so as to facilitate the attachment of removable members, the
details of which will be more fully hereinafter described.
Preferably, member 28 comprises a rod shaped to form the peripheral
boundary of shell 26 and conducive to returning to its original shape
after deformation. Preferably, the rod is fabricated from a high density
polyethylene. It should be noted, however, that any material which
achieves the abovestated function, i.e., flexibility yet rigidity, may be
employed for the semi-rigid member. For instance, instead of utilizing a
rod fabricated of high density polyethylene, any suitable material, such
as metal or wood, may be substituted therefor. Also, if a rigid material
is desired for member 28, any known material having the desired
characteristics may be selected. Preferably, the cross-section of rod 26
is circular in shape, but other cross sectional configurations may be
employed.
Member 28 is attached to shell 26 so as to form the peripheral boundary
thereof and may be attached by any known means. If a cylindrical rod is
selected as member 28, it may be inserted or sewn into a channel 32
extending around the periphery of shell 26. Other means of attachment may
also be utilized, including, for example, bonding by epoxy.
As shown in FIG. 2, member 28 defines a closed loop, resembling a circle or
ring. Other shapes and sizes, however, may be equally desirable. For
example, it may be desirable to form member 28 in an oval or rectangular
shape. Furthermore, depending on the size of the vessel and/or the size of
its operators, loops of varying sizes will be desirable. Therefore, it
should be understood that member 28 may be formed in nearly any shape or
configuration depending on the specific purpose and use for sprayskirt 20.
As stated above, from a manufacturing standpoint, it is preferable that
member 28 be semi-rigid. Because various shapes and sizes of the closed
loops will be desirable, a semi-rigid member having versatility in form,
as compared to a rigid member, provides greater ease of manufacture for
sprayskirt 20 and is more cost effective.
Located at the lowermost portion of shell 26 is second open end 24, which
is shaped and sized for easy attachment to rim 24 of kayak 10. Second open
end 24 is configured for facilitating a substantially water-tight seal
between sprayskirt 20 and rim 14 of kayak 10, and therefore includes any
known means for attachment, such as an elastic member, e.g., an adjustable
elastic shockcord 34, which may be sewn into a channel (not shown) formed
around the periphery of second open end 24. By employing adjustable
elastic shockcord 34, the size of second open end 24 may be easily and
adjustably sized for facilitating a snug and substantially watertight seal
to rim 14 of kayak 10. Any other known attachment means may also be
substituted for adjustable elastic shockcord 34. For instance, second open
end 24 may have an elastic shockcord or other elastic material formed
integral or bonded to shell member 26.
In reference now to FIG.3, sprayskirt 20 may include a fixedly attached
extension member 36 extending away from member 28. In FIG. 3, extension
member 36 is shown extending upwardly from member 28. Any means of
attachment may be employed to attach extension member 36 to shell 26. For
instance, extension member 36 may be sewn to shell 26 or formed integral
to shell 26. When sewn to shell 26, extension member 36 should be sewn to
the interior of shell 26 so as to not interfere with the operation of
member 28, the details of which will be described hereinafter.
Extension member 36 may include means for adjustably sizing a first opening
23--such as an elasticized band 38--so as to facilitate a snug fit to a
person's torso. Elasticized band 38 typically will include a hand strap 39
for easily adjusting the size of first opening 23. A tight fit insures
that a substantially watertight seal is created between extension member
36 and the person's torso or waist, which in turn prevents the entry of
water through the cockpit opening 12 and into the cockpit of kayak 10
during operation.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, extension member 36 may extend down into the
internal cavity of sprayskirt 20. By tucking extension member 36 into the
internal cavity, member 28 may be disposed at the uppermost boundary,
i.e., the peripheral boundary, of sprayskirt 20. Thus, when tucked down
into the internal cavity of sprayskirt 20, the sprayskirt of FIG. 3
outwardly resembles the sprayskirt as illustrated in FIG. 2. An
arrangement whereby extension member 36 is tucked down into the internal
cavity facilitates the attachment of a removable cover 50 (FIG. 6) or a
removable extension member 40 (FIG. 7) to sprayskirt 20.
A removable extension member 40, which may be removably attached to
semi-rigid member 28 of sprayskirt 20, is illustrated in FIG. 4.
Typically, removable extension member 40 is for use with the sprayskirt 20
as illustrated in FIG. 2 which does not include an existing and
permanently attached extension member. However, removable extension member
40 may also be desired when the extension member permanently attached does
not accommodate a particular sized operator or is made of a material not
conducive to a specific outing. For example, a sprayskirt like the one
shown in FIG. 3 may include permanently attached extension member 36 which
is sized for an operator with a short torso. In the event that an operator
with a long torso desired to use this sprayskirt, a removable extension
member, sized for such a person, may also be employed.
In reference to FIG. 4, removable extension member 40 resembles a hollow
tubular member, and includes a first opening 42 and a second opening 44.
Like shell 26 of sprayskirt 20, removable extension member 40 is
preferably fabricated from a deformable and substantially waterproof
material. It should be noted that removable extension member 40 may be
fabricated of many different shapes, sizes, lengths and materials,
depending on, for example, the size and height of the operator and the
purpose for which the extension member is to be employed. For instance, in
cold weather conditions, an extension member having a greater than usual
length and made of neoprene or other highly insulated material may be
desired. However, in warm weather, and under nonturbulent water
conditions, a shorter extension member made of a thin material like nylon
may be desired.
First opening 42 of removable extension member 40 may be adjustably sized
to snugly fit around the torso or waist of the operator of kayak 10.
Accordingly, first opening 42 may include a means for adjusting the size
thereof, i.e., an adjustable elasticized band 46, and has a hand strap 47
for the easy tightening and loosening of the elasticized band. Second
opening 44 is configured for removable attachment to shell 26, i.e., to
the peripheral boundary of shell 26 as defined by member 28. Therefore,
second opening 44 may be formed of an attachment means, e.g., an elastic
shockcord 48. The size of second opening 44 of extension member 40 when
expanded to its outermost perimeter may be smaller than first opening 42
so as to facilitate attachment to member 28.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, removable extension member 40 may be removably
and easily attached to shell 26, i.e., to member 28. In attaching
removable extension member 40 to member 28, the periphery of second
opening 44 of extension member 40 may be fitted about the peripheral
boundary as defined by member 28. Because the periphery of second opening
44 is elasticized and has a smaller diameter than the peripheral boundary
of shell 26, it can be stretched to fit around member 28. Once the elastic
shockcord 48 is stretched over member 28, it will be securely fastened
thereto, which in turn prevents the entry of water into the cockpit of
kayak 10 during operation.
A removable cover 50 may also be used in accordance with the principles of
the present invention for covering the cockpit opening of kayak 10,
typically during non-use. More specifically, a removable cover may be
attached to member 28 in the same way as removable extension member 44 is
attached. As separately depicted in FIG. 5, removable cover 50 includes an
attachment means, such as an elastic member, e.g., ah elastic shockcord 52
or any other means of attachment, e.g., snap fasteners, for attaching
cover 50 to sprayskirt 20. As shown in FIG. 6, removable cover 50 may be
easily and removably attached to member 28. In attaching removable cover
50 to member 28, elastic shockcord 52 of the cover 50 is stretched and
fitted around the outer peripheral boundary as defined by member 28,
thereby creating a snug fit between cover 50 and shell 26, which in turn
insures to reduce wind resistance during the transport of kayak 10 and to
prevent the entry of external contaminants into the cockpit of kayak 10
during storage.
Another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-9,
FIGS. 8-9, is a sprayskirt 60 for a watercraft having its entire interior
open, like a conventional canoe 80, which does not have a cockpit opening
formed therein. The sprayskirt 60 includes a shell which spans the entire
area of the open interior of canoe 80. Sprayskirt 60 includes a outside
edge 64 which corresponds in size and shape to a rim 82 or perimeter of
canoe 80.
Outside edge 64 includes a fastening means for attaching shell 62 to canoe
80. Typically, the fastening means comprises a plurality of snap fasteners
89 evenly spaced around the perimeter of shell 62 and the outside rim of
canoe 80. One or more hand grips 67 may also be employed for easy removal
of sprayskirt 60 from canoe 80. Shell 62 of sprayskirt 60 may also be
divided into separate sections 71, 73, 75, and 77, which are divided by
transverse strips 79. Each separate section may include means for
attachment and detachment to an adjacent section.
As shown in FIGS. 7-8, a plurality of openings 68 may be formed in shell
62. Like the sprayskirts described above, a member 70, either semi-rigid
or rigid, forms the peripheral boundary of each opening 68. Each opening
68 is sized for accommodating a person's torso therein. By providing a
plurality of openings 68 in shell 62, canoe 80 may be employed like a
conventional kayak in turbulent white-water conditions.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, three openings 68 are shown in use with canoe 80.
While three openings 68 are illustrated in FIG. 8, it should be
understood, however, that the number of openings in shell 62 are not
limited to any specific number, but may differ depending upon numerous
factors, for example, the desired number of operators for use with a
particular vessel. FIG. 9 shows two operators positioned in the front and
rear openings 68 of sprayskirt 60. The center opening 68 is left vacant.
Both operators are utilizing attached extension members 72 in the upright
position so as to prevent the entry of water into the interior of canoe
80. Extension member 72 may be of the kind which is either removable or
permanently attached thereto. The opening 68 positioned in the center of
shell 62 includes a removable cover 74 attached to the corresponding
member 70 for preventing water from entering the interior of canoe 80.
Furthermore, the center opening 68 may De employed to access the interior
of the vessel without removal of sprayskirt 60.
By utilizing the sprayskirt 60 on canoe 80, a conventional canoe may be
utilized in white-water conditions, without the entry of water into the
interior of the vessel. In addition, sprayskirt 60 permits numerous users
to permit canoe 80 to be utilized in an unconventional manner.
While several aspects of the present invention have been described and
depicted herein, alternative aspects may be effected by those skilled in
the art to accomplish the same objectives. For example, while member 28 is
shown as a rod configured in a closed loop, it should be understood that
member 28 may be fabricated from any known material which facilitates the
restoration of the original shape after deformation. Also, while it is
preferable that member 28 be semi-rigid, a rigid or hard member 28 may be
equally satisfactory for attaching removable covers, removable extension
members, or other accessories. Furthermore, the sprayskirts described
herein can be configured in an endless number of configurations, e.g., as
described herein with the cockpit of a kayak, and as described with the
open interior of a canoe. However, other configurations are also possible.
The sprayskirts described herein may also be employed in two-man kayaks
and should not be limited to one-man constructions. Accordingly, it is
intended by the appended claims to cover all such alternative aspects as
fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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